CROATIA CHALLENGES YOU TO CREATE YOUR PERFECT HOLIDAY!

No matter what time of the year it is, there are thousands of things to do in Croatia. Croatia has it all, from the food, wine, history, the architecture, coastal charm and natural beauty, even some of Europe’s finest festivals have started to pop up, giving people a whole other reason to travel and experience this marvellous country. There is simply something for every one and is the place to be to create severe Instagram envy.

The National Tourism Board of Croatia invites you to create your very own Epic week in Croatia where from thousands of options, you’re given 101 to select from and guess what? Contestants with the highest number of likes will make it to the finals. One last step for the finalists will be to describe why they should win a holiday in Croatia, and the jury will select the winner with the most persuasive arguments. The main award is worth the effort as the winner will win an epic week in Croatia: an all-inclusive trip for two experiencing the destinations, activities and flavours they selected in their bucket list.

To get you started & inspired, here is my Epic Week in Croatia

One. Sail through a National Park // Kornati National Park

It comes to no surprise that my visit to Plitvice National Park last year absolutely took my breath away but this isn’t the only national park that calls Croatia home. Also referred to as ‘nautical paradise,‘ the Kornati National Park consists of 89 islands surrounded by Croatia’s typical crystal blue sea.

My obsession with truffles intensified the deeper I travelled on the Dalmatian coastline last year, so much so that my best friend put a ban on the word towards the end of our travels. Every meal I had was blessed with truffles from Istria region of Croatia. I swore that in 2017, I would go on my own truffle hunting adventure and would you believe that in Croatia, visits to Istrian truffle county are increasing every year? Good to know there are a few more on the same page as me!

Who would like to come with me?

Image Credit: Stipe Surac

Three. Go Island Hopping on a Bicycle // Island Hopping

Croatia is a country with over a thousand islands, islets and cliffs. Island-hopping in Croatia just got easier with a guided bicycle tour. Who wouldn’t want to swap their spin class for some scenic cycling? I know I would.

Image Credit: Vedran Metelko

Four. Sail Through Bird Paradise // Osijek

Croatia’s Slavonia region is untapped territory and remains relatively undiscovered by tourists courtesy of the country’s coastal glimmer. There is more to Croatia than the dalmatian coastline with plenty of historical cities such as Osijek to feed your wanderlust.

Osijek is my home and the city I run to when I need to escape the rest of the world and spend time with family. Kopački Rit (also called the European Amazon) is a nature park with rare ecosystems and one of the most breath taking experiences in Slavonia.

Image Credit: Goran Šafarek

Five. Hear the roar of Croatia’s loudest waterfall // Krka

The Skradinski Buk waterfall, the longest waterfall on the Krka River, is one of the best known natural beauties of Croatia and you want to know the best part? You’re allowed to swim in it! If you’re a little more adventurous,Krkais the ideal rafting destination in the central Adriatic.

Image Credit: Ivo Biočina

Six. Eat at restaurants recommended by the Michelin Guide // Rovinj

Like many people, my life revolves around good food and I would happily trade partying by the sea to pass the time sampling local cuisine. Earlier this year, Monte Restaurant in Rovinj received their first Michelin Star, making the restaurant the first recipient of the prestigious Michelin star in Croatia.

Seven. See what Alfred Hitchcock meant by “the most beautiful sunset”

“Zadar has the most beautiful sunset in the world, more beautiful than the one in Key West, Florida, applauded at every evening.” Alfred Hitchcock

One of the best things about Zadar is that it’s a city by the sea. If you’re anything like me and a sucker for a sunset, Zadar is considered to have the one of the most stunning sunsets in the world. Imagine yourself watching the sun come down by Zadar’s famous sea organs?